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Trojan Horse: 'Minds changed' over no-notice school inspections Trojan Horse: 'Minds changed' over no-notice school inspections
(about 1 hour later)
The head of Ofsted has said "minds have been changed" over his suggestion for no-notice school inspections, which is now expected to go ahead.The head of Ofsted has said "minds have been changed" over his suggestion for no-notice school inspections, which is now expected to go ahead.
Sir Michael Wilshaw pointed out that the proposal was shelved by Education Secretary Michael Gove two years ago.Sir Michael Wilshaw pointed out that the proposal was shelved by Education Secretary Michael Gove two years ago.
But he said it was revived after "a robust discussion" amid concerns about an Islamist takeover in Birmingham schools: the "Trojan Horse" claims.But he said it was revived after "a robust discussion" amid concerns about an Islamist takeover in Birmingham schools: the "Trojan Horse" claims.
A government source said it was wrong to suggest Mr Gove blocked the idea. Government sources said both men had agreed to put off the idea in 2012.
The Ofsted chief told the BBC's Newsnight that when he had previously suggested unannounced inspections in January 2012, Mr Gove said he wanted to listen to head teachers about the need for "a preliminary dialogue with the inspectors about how the inspection should be conducted".The Ofsted chief told the BBC's Newsnight that when he had previously suggested unannounced inspections in January 2012, Mr Gove said he wanted to listen to head teachers about the need for "a preliminary dialogue with the inspectors about how the inspection should be conducted".
Sir Michael said he was "really pleased that minds have been changed" and that head teachers would now have just a few hours before inspectors arrive in future.Sir Michael said he was "really pleased that minds have been changed" and that head teachers would now have just a few hours before inspectors arrive in future.
However, the Department for Education told the BBC: "The implication by Sir Michael Wilshaw that Michael Gove blocked the imposition of 'no notice' inspections is wrong and we will say more on this soon." Senior sources in the Department for Edication said Sir Michael was "mis-remembering" events, BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said,
They say both Sir Michael and Mr Gove discussed the idea two years ago but jointly agreed not to proceed with snap inspections because of opposition from some of the teaching unions.
But they also stressed the Ofsted chief already had the power to introduce snap inspections but had chosen not to, our correspondent said, and this was the reason Mr Gove had now written to him urging him to do so.
When Sir Michael delivered his findings on claims of hardline Muslim takeovers, he said "a culture of fear and intimidation has taken grip".When Sir Michael delivered his findings on claims of hardline Muslim takeovers, he said "a culture of fear and intimidation has taken grip".
The Ofsted chief said there was evidence of an "organised campaign to target certain schools".The Ofsted chief said there was evidence of an "organised campaign to target certain schools".
Ofsted carried out inspections of 21 schools, following claims in an anonymous letter that hardline Muslims were trying to impose their views on a group of schools in Birmingham.Ofsted carried out inspections of 21 schools, following claims in an anonymous letter that hardline Muslims were trying to impose their views on a group of schools in Birmingham.
'Serious failure''Serious failure'
The five "Trojan Horse" schools - including three academies from the Park View Educational Trust - are being placed in special measures. A sixth school is also labelled inadequate for its poor educational standards.The five "Trojan Horse" schools - including three academies from the Park View Educational Trust - are being placed in special measures. A sixth school is also labelled inadequate for its poor educational standards.
Ofsted says 12 schools will need to improve - and three have emerged with praise rather than criticism.Ofsted says 12 schools will need to improve - and three have emerged with praise rather than criticism.
Mr Gove told the House of Commons that the funding agreements for these academies will now be terminated - with new sponsors lined up to take them over.Mr Gove told the House of Commons that the funding agreements for these academies will now be terminated - with new sponsors lined up to take them over.
Local authority schools will have their governing bodies replaced.Local authority schools will have their governing bodies replaced.
Mr Gove says that he wants all schools to "actively promote British values", such as democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths.Mr Gove says that he wants all schools to "actively promote British values", such as democracy, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths.
Speaking to MPs, Mr Gove also called for teachers who invited extremist speakers into a school to be banned.Speaking to MPs, Mr Gove also called for teachers who invited extremist speakers into a school to be banned.
He also promised a review of how the Department for Education had responded to previous warnings - after claims from school leaders that they had raised concerns with ministers in 2010.He also promised a review of how the Department for Education had responded to previous warnings - after claims from school leaders that they had raised concerns with ministers in 2010.
Labour's Tristram Hunt said that "warring egos" had left the government's education policy in "disarray".Labour's Tristram Hunt said that "warring egos" had left the government's education policy in "disarray".
The Ofsted reports and Mr Gove highlighted concerns in Birmingham's schools including:The Ofsted reports and Mr Gove highlighted concerns in Birmingham's schools including:
Inspections had raised concerns about an exclusively Muslim culture in non-faith schools, and Sir Michael said children were not being encouraged to "develop tolerant attitudes towards other faiths".Inspections had raised concerns about an exclusively Muslim culture in non-faith schools, and Sir Michael said children were not being encouraged to "develop tolerant attitudes towards other faiths".
The recommendations from Sir Michael included:The recommendations from Sir Michael included:
'No extremism''No extremism'
David Hughes, vice-chairman of the Park View Education Trust, said there was no extremism and attacked the "knee-jerk reaction of politicians".David Hughes, vice-chairman of the Park View Education Trust, said there was no extremism and attacked the "knee-jerk reaction of politicians".
"The Ofsted reports found absolutely no evidence of this because this is categorically not what is happening at our schools.""The Ofsted reports found absolutely no evidence of this because this is categorically not what is happening at our schools."
Head teachers' leader Brian Lightman said: "Extremism of any kind has no place in education."Head teachers' leader Brian Lightman said: "Extremism of any kind has no place in education."
But he warned that the "constant cycle of leaks and accusations over the last few weeks will have been demoralising and damaging for students and staff caught up in this ongoing drama".But he warned that the "constant cycle of leaks and accusations over the last few weeks will have been demoralising and damaging for students and staff caught up in this ongoing drama".